LONDON – A Zoning By-law Amendment application has been submitted to enable the construction of a six-storey, 55-unit residential apartment building at 75-91 Southdale Road East. The proposal, led by Strik, Baldinelli, Moniz Ltd. on behalf of the owners, 2271075 Ontario Ltd. and co-owner York Development, envisions a mixed-use node integrating residential and commercial uses on the 1-hectare site.
Location and Context
The subject property is located at the southwest corner of Southdale Road East and White Oak Road within the North Longwoods neighbourhood.
- Current Use: Includes a commercial restaurant with a drive-through, with portions of the site vacant.
- Proposed Development: The new residential building would occupy the southwest corner of the site, fronting Petty Road, Southdale Road East, and White Oak Road.
Proposed Development Details
- Building Features:
- 55 residential units with private balconies.
- Communal rooftop amenities.
- Parking:
- 33 parking spaces, including 12 tandem spaces located on the open-air ground floor.
- Bicycle parking includes six short-term and 51 long-term spaces.
- Density:
- Proposed density is 220 units per hectare, exceeding the permitted maximum of 150 units per hectare.
- Site Design:
- Landscaped Areas: Cover 24% of the site (below the required 30%).
- Pedestrian Connectivity: Walkways link the building to nearby streets and transit stops.
- Amenity Spaces: Includes private and rooftop amenities to supplement reduced landscaped areas.
Zoning and Compliance
The site is currently zoned Neighbourhood Shopping Area (NSA4(6)). The proposed amendment introduces a Residential R9-7()** Zone variation to accommodate the residential building alongside the existing commercial zoning.
Site-Specific Provisions Requested:
- Front Yard Depth: Reduced to 2 metres (8 metres required).
- Interior and Rear Yard Depths: Reduced to 2.4 metres (7.2 metres required).
- Lot Coverage: Increased to 58% (30% permitted).
- Building Height: Increased to 24 metres (13 metres permitted).
The proposal justifies these adjustments by aiming to balance residential and commercial functions while optimizing land use.
Planning Rationale
The application supports the City’s strategic goals for mixed-use development and housing intensification.
- Alignment with Municipal Policies:
- Consistent with The London Plan and Provincial Policy Statement (2024), which emphasize urban intensification in areas with strong transit connectivity.
- Balances residential and commercial uses in a high-density configuration.
- Neighbourhood Impact:
- The building’s design prioritizes pedestrian-oriented spaces while integrating with existing commercial uses.
- Rooftop amenities and private balconies enhance the residential experience despite reduced landscaped areas.
Next Steps
The application is under review by City staff, with a public participation meeting to be scheduled. A final decision will be made by the Municipal Council following recommendations from the Planning and Environment Committee.